Paul McCartney’s latest album is a deeply reflective one. There’s something quite touching about that approach, and it gives the record a sense of warmth that’s easy to appreciate. For me, it’s probably his strongest album since 'New'. His vocals have understandably changed with age, but I actually don’t think they’re as much of an issue here as they have been in the past. The bigger problem is that the album struggles to make a lasting impact.

A ... read more

Think I agree with most of the other comments here; this album sounds really good on the surface. There are some super heavy moments that are really sick, but once you sort of sit with it a while, there’s not a whole lot beneath that initial impact that really sticks. A lot of the songs start to blur together, and by the end I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed. It’s definitely enjoyable in the moment, but I don’t know how much of it will stay with me long term.

Ranking: ... read more

Just did not feel the love for this album at all. Felt super long-winded, and while there are moments that are genuinely really nice, just as many tracks completely pass me by without leaving much of an impression. 'Orange County' could have been beautiful if the whistling didn't make it sound like a Temu advert. It certainly has its moments, but I still don’t feel like Gorillaz are anywhere near back to their best.

Ranking: (2.93/5)
The Sad God (Great)
Delirium ... read more

A really consistently great album. Actually quite a heartbreaking album, especially given when it was released. It’s well put together and rarely dips in quality, but it can feel a little jumpy at times. Despite its consistency, it doesn’t always come across as the most cohesive listen from start to finish. I also can’t help but wish there were some more really strong tracks. Loved the Stevie Wonder cameos.

Ranking: (3.64/5)
What's That You're Doing (Love)
Here ... read more

Technically pretty good, but overall, it just feels a bit stale and repetitive. Especially disappointing for a band like Sault, who I typically really enjoy. There are glimpses of what they do well, but it never really does much but pass by unnoticed.

Ranking: (2.8/5)
Love Does Not Equal Pain (Great)
Chapter 1 (Good)
Good Things Will Come After The Pressure (Good)
Fulfil Your Spirit (Good)
Don't Worry About What You Can't Control (Good)
Lord Have Mercy (Good)
Protector (Good)
Create ... read more

Always felt like The Itch are a band with sooo much potential, and I still feel the same as I listen to this. Because there's so much in here that I think works really well and I really like, yet this feels like it massively misses the mark. On the positive side, it's super fun and bouncy, and the synths sound incredible. But otherwise I do agree that it feels a bit all over the place, and lyrics feel pretty icky in places. It’s frustrating, because you can hear how good this ... read more

#109/1080
Mental that this is what started everything off for Janis Joplin. Those vocals are so raw and emotional, really, really beautiful. To be fair, the whole performance from the band feels that way. Can't say I love the album cover; don't know how to feel about that.

Ranking: (3.67/5)
Piece of My Heart (Love)
Ball and Chain (Love)
I Need a Man to Love (Great)
Summertime (Great)
Turtle Blues (Great)
Roadblock (Good)
Flower In The Sun (Good)
Oh, Sweet Mary (Good)
Combination of ... read more

🥵🥵🥵

Ranking: (4.75/5)
Matador (Love)
New Face (Love)
CJ (Love)
Liar (Great)

Ranking: (4.7/5)
Mosquito (Love)
Sleepless (Love)
Amaranth (Love)
Crossing Guard (Love)
Sun In (Love)
Donkey Show (Love)
Divers (Love)
Slate (Great)
Maria (Great)
Pure Mode (Great)

#113/1080
Yeah, this was completely fine, nothing wrong with it at all, even if it didn’t fully grab me in the way I’d hoped. It took me a little while to properly sit with it and give it the attention, which maybe says something about how it lands. A lot of it blends together into that classic, super bluesy sound, which is enjoyable but can feel a bit samey across the whole thing. There aren’t many moments that really jump out as particularly striking, but it’s still a ... read more

There's a lot of potential in this album. 'Save Us' absolutely bangs and was a really eye-opening start to this album. I wish 'Scared' was uploaded as a separate track. I think it also feels quite stuck in 2013. I'm sure this sounded mental when it came out, but it doesn't have the same timeless feel as some of Paul's other albums. There are also a few weaker moments that drag it down a bit. Overall, there’s plenty to like here, but it never quite ... read more

Dad rock central. While I don’t think this has the same level of standout songs as some of his other albums, and there’s nothing here I’d say I love, it’s one of Paul’s more consistent records. It’s a smooth, easy listen with very few real lows, but that consistency comes at the cost of memorability. I just don’t know how much replay value it has for me, even if it’s solid while it’s on.

Ranking: (3.5/5)
Heaven On A Sunday (Great)
Young Boy ... read more

I was surprised to enjoy this more than their debut. I still think the highs on the first album might edge it in terms of individual songs, but as a complete project, this one feels stronger and more cohesive. It was always going to be a tricky follow-up, but Friko are really starting to establish themselves as a seriously exciting indie rock band. It still feels like they haven’t quite broken through in the way they deserve, but it feels like it’s only a matter of time.

Ranking: ... read more

A huge record, absolutely stacked with everybody in it, and all for such an amazing cause, which makes it an easy one to appreciate on principle alone. With most of the tracks being covers, it’s a bit tricky to judge it in the same way as a standard album. There are plenty of really strong moments here, and a lot of the performances are genuinely great, but it’s also a bit uneven. Quite a few tracks just didn’t do much for me and felt a little forgettable in comparison. Still, ... read more

I think, for the most part, I’ve probably just grown out of Don Broco. That said, I don’t actually dislike this as much as I expected to. There are definitely a few stinkers, but overall it’s more fine than anything else. The bigger issue is that it just doesn’t feel as fun as their earlier records. It’s missing a bit of that charm and energy that made them so enjoyable in the first place. There are still glimpses of it here and there, but not enough to really ... read more

Been really excited to listen to this album as soon as the first single dropped. Loved Divorce for years, so to see them go on to do more new and different things is so exciting. And honestly, I really, really enjoyed this. A really strong release, and one that’s left me even more excited to see where they go next.

Ranking: (4.3/5)
Big Love (Love)
North Atlantic Ocean (Love)
Song By A Stranger (Love)
There You Go I Love You (Love)
Hard Ride (Great)
I Lean (Great)
Catalpa In The Sky ... read more

I think it makes a lot of sense that this is a Starbucks collab, there's just such an inoffensive feel too it. 'Memory Almost Full' certainly has its moments; probably about half of this album is actually really good. I think it just doesn't stay consistent. Imagine not ending on 'The End Of The End'.

Ranking: (3.15/5)
You Tell Me (Love)
Only Mama Knows (Great)
House Of Wax (Great)
The End Of The End (Great)
See Your Sunshine (Great)
Ever Present Past ... read more

He's lost the sauce:( I suppose it's better than Egypt Station.

Ranking: (2.73/5)
Slidin' (Great)
Deep Down (Great)
Pretty Boys (Good)
Winter Bird / When Winter Comes (Good)
Deep Deep Feeling (Good)
Women And Wives (Good)
Long Tailed Winter Bird (Good)
Seize The Day (Meh)
The Kiss Of Venus (Meh)
Lavatory Lil (Meh)
Find My Way (Poor)

#968/1080
Some overall cool ideas, feels like it's lacking anything of actual substance. Still great to see an album like this on this list.

Ranking: (2.67/5)
Assassins (Love)
2 Towers (Great)
Dracula Mountain (Good)
Wonderful Rainbow (Good)
Duel in the Deep (Good)
Crown of Storms (Meh)
On Fire (Meh)
Longstockings (Poor)
30,000 Monkies (Poor)

Highlight tracks: (3.74/5)
The Yellow Mile (Love)
Hanging (Love)
No Caffeine (Love)
Blood (Great)
Vitamins (Great)
Slime (Good)
Big Sigh (Good)
Please Don't Be So Kind (Good)
The Ground (Good)
The Lonely House (Good)